Face mask

Abstract

A face mask is provided which is adapted to be mounted an inhalation device, e.g., an inhaler or spacer, having a body. The mask includes an annular adaptor part which is to be connected to one end of the body, and a funnel-shaped face engaging portion having a narrow end that is joined to one end of the adaptor part. The wide end of the face engaging portion has a free edge that is adapted to engage the face of an infant around the infant's mouth and at least a part of the infant's nose, and is resilient so that it is adaptable to the shape of the infant's face. The free edge of the wide end of the face engaging part is provided substantially entirely in a plane which forms an angle of about 10°-25° with a plane perpendicular to the extended longitudinal axis of the adaptor part.

We claim: 
     
       1. A face mask for an infant, said face mask being adapted to be mounted on an inhalation device having an end dimensioned to deliver a medicament during inhalation, said mask comprising: an adaptor part having a first end which is dimensioned to be connected to the end of the inhalation device; and   a face engaging portion having a narrow end which is adjacent a second end of the adaptor part opposite said first end and a wide end having a free edge which is adapted to engage an area around the mouth and at least a part of the nose of an infant, said free edge being resilient to be adaptable to said area;   wherein said free edge defines and is disposed substantially entirely in a plane which forms an angle of about 20°-25° with a plane perpendicular to the extended longitudinal axis of the adaptor part.   
     
     
       2. A face mask of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the wall of the face engaging portion decreases gradually outwardly towards the free edge of the face engaging portion. 
     
     
       3. A face mask of claim 1, wherein the face mask is made of a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       4. A face mask of claim 1, wherein the free edge of the face engaging portion is oval. 
     
     
       5. A face mask of claim 4, wherein the ratio between the major axis and the minor axis of the oval is 1.2-1.4. 
     
     
       6. A face mask of claim 1, wherein the outer side of the adaptor part smoothly merges with the outer side of the face engaging portion. 
     
     
       7. A face mask according to claim 1 or 6, wherein a shoulder is provided on the inner surface of the face mask where the adaptor part and the face engaging portion meet. 
     
     
       8. A face mask of claim 1 or 6 wherein the adaptor part and face engaging portion comprise a single, unitary member. 
     
     
       9. A face mask of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the face engaging portion is concave. 
     
     
       10. A face mask of claim 9 wherein the outer surface describes an arc of an circle. 
     
     
       11. A face mask of claim 1 or 9 wherein the inner surface of the face engaging portion is convex. 
     
     
       12. A face mask of claim 11 wherein the inner surface describes an arc of an circle. 
     
     
       13. A face mask of claim 1 wherein said face engaging portion includes a short side, a portion of which is dimensioned to be positioned against the nose of an infant, and a long side, dimensioned to be positioned below the mouth of an infant. 
     
     
       14. A face mask of claim 13, wherein a nose engaging part of the face mask is provided at the short side of the face engaging portion. 
     
     
       15. A face mask of claim 14, wherein a protrusion is provided on the nose engaging part of the face engaging portion. 
     
     
       16. A face mask of claim 15, wherein the protrusion is substantially semi-circular. 
     
     
       17. The face mask of claim 15 wherein said protrusion extends out of the plane defined by the face-engaging portion. 
     
     
       18. A face mask of claim 15 or 16 wherein the protrusion includes an inclined edge which curves away from the plane defined by the free edge and towards the adaptor part. 
     
     
       19. A method of treating an infant by delivering a medicament through an inhalation device having a first end adapted to deliver the medicament during inhalation, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a face mask comprising an adaptor part having a first end which is dimensioned to be connected to said first end of the inhalation device; and   a face engaging portion having a narrow end which is adjacent a second end of the adaptor part, opposite said first end, and a wide end having a free edge which is adapted to engage an area around the mouth and at least a part of the nose of an infant and being resilient to be adaptable to said area;   the free edge defining and being disposed substantially entirely in a plane which forms an angle of about 10°-25° with a plane perpendicular to the extended longitudinal axis of the adaptor part;     b) mounting the face mask on the first end of the inhalation device;   c) bringing the free edge of the face engaging portion into contact with said area of an infant's face; and   d) using the inhalation device to deliver a medicament to an infant through the face mask.   
     
     
       20. A method of claim 19 further comprising the step of bringing the free edge into sealing contact with an infant's face. 
     
     
       21. A method of claim 19, wherein said step of providing a face mask comprises providing the face engaging portion with a nose engaging portion dimensioned to engage the nose of an infant, and bringing the nose engaging portion into contact with a portion of an infant's nose. 
     
     
       22. A face mask for an infant, said face mask being adapted to be mounted on an inhalation device having an end capable of delivering a medicament during inhalation, said mask comprising: an adaptor part a first end of which is dimensioned to be connected to the end of the body of the inhalation device; and   a face engaging portion having a narrow end which is adjacent a second end of the adaptor part opposite said first end and a wide end having a free edge which is adapted to engage an area around the mouth and at least a part of the nose of an infant, said free edge being resilient to be adaptable to said area;   wherein substantially all of said free edge is disposed in a plane which forms an angle of about 10°-25° with a plane perpendicular to the extended longitudinal axis of the adaptor part, a nose engaging portion is provided at the short side of the face engaging portion, and the adaptor part has a cylindrical inner surface and protrudes from the narrow end of the face engaging portion.   
     
     
       23. A face mask for an infant, said face mask being adapted to be mounted on an inhalation device having an end capable of delivering a medicament during inhalation, said face mask comprising: an adaptor part having a first end which is dimensioned to be connected directly to the end of the inhalation device; and   a face engaging portion having a narrow end which is adjacent a second end of the adaptor part which is opposite said first end, and a wide end having a free edge which is adapted to engage an area around the mouth and at least a part of the nose of an infant, said free edge being resilient to be adaptable to said area;   wherein substantially all of said free edge is disposed in a plane which forms an angle of about 10°-25° with a plane perpendicular to the extended longitudinal axis of the adaptor part, said plane in which said free edge lies being inclined in a direction, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the adaptor part, that allows the user to hold the inhalation device in an inclined position in relation to the infant's face in a manner which corresponds to the inclination of a baby feeding-bottle during feeding, and said adaptor part being adapted to restrict movement of the inhalation device within the adaptor part during use.